Lederer honoured in New Year list

Several leading figures in the hospitality and tourism industries were recognised for their services to the sectors in this year’s New Year Honours list.

Peter Lederer, chairman of VisitScotland and managing director at Gleneagles, was appointed CBE for services to the tourism industry. Lederer, who won the 1993 Tourism Award Catey and was Caterer’s Hotelier of the Year in 1997, has been at Gleneagles since 1984, becoming general manager three years later. He took up his post as chairman of VisitScotland in March 2001.

Walter Payne, chief executive of the Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations, was appointed CBE for services to the licensed trade.

Among those appointed OBEs were Martin Couchman, deputy chief executive of the British Hospitality Association. Couchman, who has worked at the BHA for 12 years, received the honour for services to hospitality.

Edward Friel, chief executive of Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley Board, was appointed OBE for his work for tourism in Scotland.

Also appointed OBE were Professor Victor Middleton and Anthony Climpson, tourism and publicity manager of the New Forest District Council, for services to tourism.

Other honours included MBEs for Peter James, owner of the Drovers Rest restaurant in Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys; Ian Berwick, general secretary of the UK Vineyard Association; Alan Booth, owner of the Ryedale hotel in Scarborough, North Yorkshire; Bryan Whittaker, a technical consultant to the Catering Equipment Suppliers Association; and Sheila Mitchell, president of the European Catering Association.